Americans love Iowa! And why wouldn’t you? From a top-rated college town to a thriving art culture, the Hawkeye State has got it all.
The median home value for Iowa is $222,500. For a rich cultural experience, Des Moines, and Council Bluffs are some of the best places to live.
People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Also, the state’s cost of living is 5% lower than the national average. Let’s explore the best places to live in Iowa.
3 Reasons to Live in Iowa 🦅
- Flourishing Job Market: By 2030, the job market in Iowa will rise by 13%. Transportation, agriculture, and healthcare are the growing sectors.
- Affordability: The utility cost in Iowa is 4% less than the national average.
- Excellent Education System: Iowa’s education system is ranked the 13th best in the country.
7 Best Places to Live in Iowa
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Des Moines | 213,164 | $193,698 | $8,417 | 3.3% | 60/100 |
| 2. | Cedar Rapids | 136,929 | $186,447 | $8,163 | 3.9% | 57/100 |
| 3. | Iowa City | 74,878 | $281,140 | $9,004 | 2.7% | 71/100 |
| 4. | Sioux City | 85,469 | $177,572 | $7,837 | 3.3% | 56/100 |
| 5. | Dubuque | 59,315 | $216,304 | $8,014 | 3.7% | 57/100 |
| 6. | Davenport | 101,448 | $165,286 | $7,852 | 5.2% | 56/100 |
| 7. | Cedar Falls | 40,686 | $234,099 | $7,890 | 3.7% | 55/100 |
1. Des Moines: Best Places to Live in Iowa for Families
| Median Home Price | ⬆️ 6.0% |
| Median Income | $62,378 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,417 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 60/100 |
Des Moines is Iowa’s capital city. It is biggest city in Iowa with a median home price in the city is $193,698, which is quite affordable. Moreover, the cost of living in the city is 14% lower than the national average.
The city is ideal for job seekers, in the last few years the job market saw a growth of 24.16%. Des Moines is known for its top-rated education system. It’s also known for its excellent schools, making it a desirable location for families. Some of the high-ranking schools include Johnston Community School District, West Des Moines Community Schools, and Ankeny Community School District.
» Homes For Sale in Des Moines, IA: Find your dream home in Iowa cities.
2. Cedar Rapids: Live in One of the Major Cities in Iowa
| Median Home Price | ⬆️ 4.5% |
| Median Income | $66,895 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,163 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 57/100 |
Cedar Rapids is the largest city in Eastern Iowa. The median home price in Cedar Rapids is $186,447. The city’s cost of living is 15% less than the national average. Also, Cedar Rapids has a booming job market, with an average annual salary of $56,076.
Transportation costs in the city 31.2% less than the national average. Besides this, the city is home to one of the top employers like Rockwell Collins, Deloitte, and Wells Fargo. Cedar Rapids is one of the best place to live in Iowa for retirees. The city offers plenty of park trails and nearby lakes to explore.
» Homes For Sale in Cedar Rapids, IA: View the best properties in Cedar Rapids online.
3. Iowa City: Best Places to Live in Iowa for Young Adults
| Median Home Price | ⬆️ 3.9% |
| Median Income | $54,879 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,004 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 71/100 |
The median home price in Iowa City has gone up by 3.9%, as compared to last year. The cost of living in Iowa city is 7% lower than the US average. Apart from this, the city is home to The University of Iowa.
Moreover, Iowa city has a thriving job market with an unemployment rate of 2.2%. This makes it best place for young adults. The major employers in the city are MCI World and ALPLA.
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4. Sioux City: Live in One of the Safest Cities in Iowa
| Median Home Price | ⬆️ 5.6% |
| Median Income | $64,250 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,837 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 56/100 |
The median home price in Sioux City is $170,144 less than the US average. The cost of living in the city is 24.1% lower than the national average. The city is 37.% cheaper than Iowa City when it comes to housing.
Sioux City is ideal for job seekers, with major employers like Wells Fargo, Verizon, Target and FedEX. Apart from this, the crime rate in this city is 4.1% less than national average.
» Homes For Sale in Sioux City, IA: Find the best properties in the Sioux City neighborhood.
5. Dubuque: One of the Best Iowa Cities
| Median Home Price | ⬆️ 3.2% |
| Median Income | $63,520 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,014 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 57/100 |
With a median home price of $216,304, Dubuque is one of the best places to live in Iowa, due to its affordability. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $759. This city is home to the prestigious University of Dubuque, which is ideal for those seeking higher education.
The cost of housing in Dubuque is 18% lower than the national average. Moreover, the city’s job market is projected to grow by 15.60% in the coming years. Apart from this, city’s transportation costs are 29.2% cheaper compared to US average.
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6. Davenport: Live in One of the Important Cities in Iowa
| Median Home Price | ⬆️ 4.0% |
| Median Income | $59,890 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,852 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 56/100 |
The median home price in Davenport is $165,286. The cost of living in the city is 8% lower than the national average. In addition, the city has a great educational setup. It’s home to the renowned St. Ambrose University and Kaplan University.
Davenport is home to big corporations like John Deere, Genesis Health System, and Rock Island Arsenal. The city’s unemployment rate is 5.2%, which indicates a healthy job market in Davenport, with ample of job opportunities.
» Homes For Sale in Davenport, IA: Find your dream home on Houzeo.
7. Cedar Falls: Live in One of the Best Cities in Iowa
| Median Home Price | ⬆️ 6.3% |
| Median Income | $71,011 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,890 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 55/100 |
The median home price in Cedar Falls is $113,617 less than national average. Healthcare costs in the city are 5.5% lower than the state average.
The city has a booming job opportunities and is ranked among the top places to work. It’s labor force is projected to grow by 17.% in the coming years. Additionally, its economy has flourished in sectors like health sciences, transportation, construction, and retail marketing.
» Homes For Sale in Cedar Falls, IA: View thousands of properties for sale in Cedar Falls.
Bottom Line
Iowa is one of the best places to live in the US due to its thriving job market and low cost of living. Other things that contribute are its excellent education system and vibrant city life.
Iowa’s current population is ~3 million, an increase of 2.55% in 2023. Moreover, the Hawkeye State is ranked 7th among the best states to live in the country.
In some cities, the median home price is around $165,286, whereas in cities like Iowa City, it can go up to $281,140. So, you must do your research before you move to Iowa. To start your home search, browse properties online.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with Iowa’s most accurate home value estimator.
Find Homes For Sale by Type and Style in IA
Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places in Iowa. The comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Iowa and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Iowa Demographics Report[1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in Iowa for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the largest city in Iowa?
Des Moines is the largest city to live in Iowa. The city's population is around 200K. Apart from this, it is the capital city of Iowa. Due to its affordable housing prices, Des Moines attracts many migrants from other states.
Which is the best place to live in Iowa for retirees?
Cedar Rapids is the best place to live for retirees. The city has excellent outdoor recreational opportunities and cultural amenities.
Which is the cheapest place to live in Iowa?
Keokuk is the cheapest place to live in Iowa. The home prices and cost of living in the city are among the lowest in the state.
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